Story
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Due the amazing donations by so many people, we have now changed the original target of £3000 to £5000!
We have been so touched by everyone's support and messages (on and offline!!) - Thankyou.
Rachel x
CHARITY CHALLENGE: KILIMANJARO SUMMIT CLIMB
Amanda's Story:
Until the age of 37, Amanda Badnell-Waters lead a highly active and busy equestrian orientated life. She worked as a senior lecturer in equine science atHartpuryCollege for many years, and as a researcher in equine behaviour and welfare at theUniversity ofBristol ,School ofVeterinary Science , where she gained her PhD. Amanda was a frequent speaker at international conferences on equine welfare, was a keen dressage rider and judge and spent her life working towards improving welfare of animals; life could not have been better or more full.
Then tragedy struck, Amanda developed an unusual brain disorder and her life literally began to fall apart from that point onwards. Her husband, friends and family are devastated, being unable to do anything to help; despite five brain surgeries, countless tests and help from neurosurgeons all over the country she has continued to deteriorate and now cannot stand, walk, ride or even read. Each day is a struggle and normal activities have become impossible.
Amanda had to part company with her beloved horse, Thomas, when she became too ill to care for him, but did manage to ride at the local Riding For Disabled (RDA) centre for as long as she could. In 2006, she qualified for the RDA National Dressage Championships on a RDA horse named “Kilimanjaro”. Amanda was determined to compete as she was deteriorating rapidly. This was to be the last test Amanda would ride, and it turned out to be Kilimanjaro’s last competition too, as at the age of 20 the decision was made to retire him. The determined pair were placed 7th in their Grade III level test, which was quite some achievement!. After receiving a photo of “Amanda and Kilimanjaro in action”, Rachel, Amanda’s best friend felt inspired to do something positive, not only to help Amanda continue her tireless work towards helping improve equine welfare but also to mark the amazing courage, strength and dignity Amanda and her husband Piers have shown through the progression of this devastating disease.
A few months ago Rachel registered to climbMount Kilimanjaro in December 2007, for Amanda, through Charity Challenge (www.charitychallenge.com) and has already begun training. Over the past five years Charity Challenge has helped thousands of people achieve amazing personal goals and raise more than £15 million for hundreds of charities. At 5, 895m,Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the earths crust….the challenge is to reach its summit, (which is higher than Everest base camp!!) The expedition will take 12 days, most days will involve 6-10 hours of walking/climbing a day. Summit day starts at midnight, reaching the summit around dawn, this will be the toughest day involving 4,248ft/1,295m of ascent and 7,038ft/2,145m descent and 12-15 hours of walking!. Rachel will spend the next 6 months preparing for the expedition, which will involve many hours climbing and walking around the UK and competing in a few 10km road races!! She will also spend a weekend climbing Snowdonia......in November!
TheBrookeHospital for Animals, Amanda’s chosen charity (www.thebrooke.org) is a charity which helps working animals in the world’s poorest countries, through veterinary treatment, owner training and community animal health programmes. The Brooke helps thousands of animals each year, and without their help many would continue to endure unimaginable pain and suffering.
Please help Amanda and Rachel raise £5000 for the Brooke Hospital. Your donation, sponsorship and help however large or small would mean so very much. Please help us reach our goal in whatever way you can and please forward this on to anyone you think my be willing to help. For more information or sponsorship forms please emailrachel.williams@eis2win.co.uk